The Colorado Rural Health Center worked closely with state legislators this session to propose a joint house resolution recognizing the hard work being done to provide healthcare to rural communities. Today, in an effort to acknowledge the vital services of rural healthcare practitioners across Colorado, State Representative Tom Massey (R-CO), will introduce a House Joint Resolution to recognize “Rural Health Day.”
Read the full press release about this monumental day in our state’s history. Contact Sara Schmitt or Alicia Haywood for more information.
New UCCS Grant Aims to Boost Rural Nursing Programs
A new $2.2 million grant from the Colorado Health Foundation will enable nursing students to take classes at their local community colleges and online through a partnership with University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. Many classes will be offered in real time using Cisco Telepresence conferencing technology to connect distance learners to UCCS via high-definition video and other interactive features.
The newly created Southern Colorado Rural Nursing Education and Practice Collaborative will help students earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a degree not currently offered through the community college system. The new partnership aims to increase the number of nursing professionals serving rural Southern Colorado and will be offered at Lamar Community College, Otero Junior College, Pikes Peak Community College, Pueblo Community College and Trinidad State Junior College.
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The newly created Southern Colorado Rural Nursing Education and Practice Collaborative will help students earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a degree not currently offered through the community college system. The new partnership aims to increase the number of nursing professionals serving rural Southern Colorado and will be offered at Lamar Community College, Otero Junior College, Pikes Peak Community College, Pueblo Community College and Trinidad State Junior College.
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Letter from the CEO
Dear members, friends, and colleagues,
At the end of May, after ten years with the Colorado Rural Health Center, I will be leaving to pursue other professional interests. Serving as the Chief Executive Officer for this organization has been a privilege and honor. I will leave CRHC with the satisfaction of knowing I contributed to growing CRHC’s organizational capacity to better serve our rural communities. I am very proud of the milestones we’ve reached in the last decade and the work CRHC does every day to support the delivery of quality healthcare in rural Colorado.
When I accepted the position of CEO, the Board of Directors and I set some lofty goals for CRHC. I’m most proud of growing the staff from less than 10 to nearly 30 professionals, ensuring CRHC has the expertise needed to assist rural providers with implementation of health information technology (HIT), creating a strong policy and advocacy team, and increasing CRHC’s positive visibility through rebranding and consistent, clear communication.
CRHC is in a very strong position, both financially and programmatically. From the high level technical assistance consulting CRHC provides, to the advocacy efforts at the state legislature and congressional levels, and everything in between, rural health providers and their patients are well represented by CRHC.
During my final two months as CRHC’s leader, the board and I will work together to make sure a smooth transition plan is in place and that our members and partners will continue to receive the high level of support they currently receive from CRHC. I look forward to following CRHC’s progress in the future as the organization continues to work toward its vision for all Coloradans have access to comprehensive, high quality healthcare services.
Stipends Still Available! Register Today for The Forum, April 19-21, 2011, Aurora, CO
It’s not too late to register for The Forum 2011: Essential Perspectives for Safety Net Providers! There are a few spots left for attendees, exhibitors, and sponsors. The Forum is being held April 19 – 21 at The Red Lion Southeast and serves as an essential educational, training, and networking event for all safety net clinics, members of the clinic team, and other interested parties. Rural Health Clinics are eligible for a stipend of $500.00 per person for up to two people per RHC to attend. Stipend eligibility requirements include attendance at the 2011 Forum, attendance at both “Emergency Preparedness” sessions, and receipt of session attendance certificates. The stipend is intended to offset expenses incurred while attending the Forum and is to be paid on a reimbursement basis. A reimbursement form and procedure will be available at the end of the last Emergency Preparedness session at the Forum.
Click here for detailed event information. Click here to register. Click here to exhibit or sponsor.
Estes Park Medical Center Increases Patient Safety Through Bar Code/Scanning System Software
Congratulations to Estes Park Medical Center for completing their FY-2010 Small Hospital Improvement Program Quality Improvement Project! EPMC chose to purchase and implement a medication bar code/scanning system as their QI Project – leading to achievement of Electronic Health Record Meaningful Use. Through implementation of a medication bar code and scanning system, EPMC will increase patient safety and reduce medication errors. This project contributes to EPMC achieving three critical EHR Meaningful use objectives: Drug-Drug and Drug-Allergy Interaction Checks, Medication Reconciliation, and Drug-formulary Checks Watch for more SHIP project results in upcoming newsletters.
Funding Available to Attend Institute for Healthcare Improvement Educational Events
Through a generous grant from Kaiser Permanente, CRHC is pleased to offer funding to help rural clinic leaders attend Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) conferences and seminars. IHI, world-renowned for their work to improve healthcare and patient safety, helps accelerate improvement by cultivating concepts for improving patient care, and helping health care facilities put those ideas into action. For more information about applying for this funding, contact jd@coruralhealth.org.
Update on Proposed Medicaid Provider Payment Delay
From Colorado MedAssist: Providers will be paid April 15, 2011 as usual, as the legislature has not officially acted on a potential provider payment delay as of April 14, 2011. We will continue to update the Department’s Web site at www.colorado.gov/hcpf, the Web Portal Message Center, and the Provider Bulletin. Reminder: Please be sure that the fiscal agent has your current email address on file. The Colorado Medical Assistance Program is not responsible for undeliverable notifications due to incorrect email addresses.
Policy Brief: Use of Health Information Technology in Support of Patient-Centered Medical Homes Is Low among Non-metropolitan Family
A new policy brief is available from the RUPRI Center: Use of Health Information Technology in Support of Patient-Centered Medical Homes Is Low among Non-metropolitan Family Medicine Practices.
By creating a medical home program within Medicare, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 gave momentum to growing interest in the concept of a patient-centered medical home (PCMH). Are physician practices, especially non-metropolitan primary care practices, ready to become PCMHs? We use a nationwide survey of physician practices to partially answer this question, focusing on the use of health information technology.
Please click here to download a copy of this brief.
By creating a medical home program within Medicare, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 gave momentum to growing interest in the concept of a patient-centered medical home (PCMH). Are physician practices, especially non-metropolitan primary care practices, ready to become PCMHs? We use a nationwide survey of physician practices to partially answer this question, focusing on the use of health information technology.
Please click here to download a copy of this brief.
Two Positions Available on the Colorado Rural Health Care Grant Council
The Colorado Rural Health Care Grant Program currently has two open positions on its Governor-appointed Council. The Council is responsible for developing and providing oversight for the Grant Program funded by UnitedHealth Group. The Grant Program offers competitive grants to non-urbanized organizations that provide outpatient primary care services--including medical, oral, and mental health services.
The positions are Members-At-Large. The Council currently meets 8-10 times per year. The program will be active for approximately 18 more months. Both rural and urban citizens are encouraged to apply. More information about the Grant Program and the Council can be found on CRHC's website or by contacting Shelly Collings, Grants Manager, sc@coruralhealth.org or 720-248-2742.
Application information can be accessed on Governor Hickenlooper’s website.
The positions are Members-At-Large. The Council currently meets 8-10 times per year. The program will be active for approximately 18 more months. Both rural and urban citizens are encouraged to apply. More information about the Grant Program and the Council can be found on CRHC's website or by contacting Shelly Collings, Grants Manager, sc@coruralhealth.org or 720-248-2742.
Application information can be accessed on Governor Hickenlooper’s website.
USDA Capital Loans and Grants Available for HIT Purchases and Telemedicine Projects
USDA Rural Development can support rural health providers in Colorado through the Community Facilities program. With few sources of capital available in rural America, rural health care providers can look to this program to help fund software and hardware purchases to meet Health IT requirements and deadlines. Loan and limited grant funding is available. For information please contact your local Rural Development Office.
Another source of capital for rural health care providers is the Rural Utilities Service Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Grant program. This program is an excellent source of capital to bring telemedicine services to rural communities. Applicants can compete for grant funding for the purchase of end-user telecommunication equipment, which facilitates real time health care for rural patients by medical doctors or specialists located in larger hospital facilities. Rural Development is accepting applications for the DLT Program through April 25, 2011. More information on how to apply for this program can be found here.
Another source of capital for rural health care providers is the Rural Utilities Service Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Grant program. This program is an excellent source of capital to bring telemedicine services to rural communities. Applicants can compete for grant funding for the purchase of end-user telecommunication equipment, which facilitates real time health care for rural patients by medical doctors or specialists located in larger hospital facilities. Rural Development is accepting applications for the DLT Program through April 25, 2011. More information on how to apply for this program can be found here.
Partnership for Patients: National Initiative Launched April 12th
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, joined by leaders of major hospitals, employers, health plans, physicians, nurses, and patient advocates, today announced a new national partnership that will help save 60,000 lives by stopping millions of preventable injuries and complications in patient care over the next three years. The Partnership for Patients: Better Care, Lower Costs has the potential to save up to $35 billion, including up to $10 billion for Medicare. Already, more than 500 hospitals, as well as physicians and nurses groups, consumer groups, and employers have pledged their commitment to the new initiative. This initiative is an exciting opportunity to save lives, and fits in with the current ORHP Flex grant program activities around quality, specifically, the Medicare Beneficiary Quality Improvement Project’s Phase 3 measure that engages a pharmacist within the critical access hospital to reduce preventable injuries related to medication errors. Rural facilities are encouraged to sign the pledge!
Website resources:
For more information about the Partnership for Patients, click here.
For a fact sheet on the announcement, click here.
For more information about the Community-based Care Transitions Program funding opportunity, click here.
The National Advisory Committee for Rural Health and Human Services presented options for engaging Critical Access Hospitals in Community Based Care Transitions Programs. Click here for more information.
Website resources:
For more information about the Partnership for Patients, click here.
For a fact sheet on the announcement, click here.
For more information about the Community-based Care Transitions Program funding opportunity, click here.
The National Advisory Committee for Rural Health and Human Services presented options for engaging Critical Access Hospitals in Community Based Care Transitions Programs. Click here for more information.
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